Vegetation inhibiting structure

ABSTRACT

A vegetation inhibiting member for protective placement adjacent exterior wall-like surfaces. At least one guard element having an outer body portion and an inner seal portion. A plurality of guard elements may cooperate to define a closed protective frame which may be of any desired configuration. Each guard element body portion provided with an outer depending ground engaging leg and an inner depending ground engaging leg. The seal portion being formed integrally with the body portion and projecting inwardly for assuming resiliently maintained sealing contact with the wall-like surface. Hidden splice means for joining abutting edges of adjacent guard elements and corner elements which serve to define the closed frame. The seal portion may be made of a resilient plastic material and the body portion may be composed of a substantially rigid plastic material.

United States Patent [191 Matvey ]*Apr. 16, 1974 VEGETATION INHIBITINGSTRUCTURE Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey [76] Inventor: Joseph J.Matvey, 20s Orin St., Exami'ler,cliffrd Pittsburgh, 15235 Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Arnold B. S1lverman Notice: The portion of the term ofthis [57] ABSTRACT g zi :1 1988 A vegetation inhibiting member forprotective placeas een alme ment adjacent exterior wall-like surfaces.At least one [22] Filed: Aug. 11, 1972 guard element having an outerbody portion and an I inner seal portion. A plurality of guard elementsmay {21] App! 279958 cooperate to define a closed protective frame whichmay be of any desired configuration. Each guard ele- [52] US. Cl. 47/33,52/102 ment body portion provided with an outer depending [51] Int. ClE04h 13/00 round engaging leg and an inner depending ground g [58] Fieldof Search 47/33; 52/102, 103, 104, en aging leg. The seal portion beingformed integrally 8 52/585; 46/31; 277/208 with the body portion andprojecting inwardly for as suming resiliently maintained sealing contactwith the 56] References Cited wall-like surface. Hidden splice means forjoining UNITED STATES PATENTS abutting edges of adjacent guard elementsand corner 3 619 944 H H971 Manley 47/33 elements which serve to definethe closed frame. The 3:578:027 5/1971 Zopfi...I:III:III:II:I::xlljjrefi/zos seal may be made a resilient Plasticmaterial and the body portion may be composed of a substantially rigidplastic material.

18 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAPR 16 m4 3803760 SHEET 2 BF 3FIG. 5.

VEGETATION INHIBITING STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field ofthe Invention This invention relates to a vegetation inhibiting memberadapted for effective sealing engagement with a wall-like surface andmore specifically this invention relates to such a member which isadapted to be employed as a unitary member or as a unit in a closedmulti-sided vegetation inhibiting frame to resist the growth ofvegetation in the earth underlying the same and between the member andthe wall-like surface or surfaces with which it is engaged.

2. Description of the Prior Art As a result of the ever increasing laborcost of maintaining control of vegetation in residential, commercial andcemetery environments, there has been increased recognition of the needto adopt effective means for minimizing the amount of labor required.The same objective exists in connection with the desire of those doingtheir own maintenance of grass and other vegetation to increase theamount of leisure time available for recreation. In general, this trendhas resulted in increased use of motorized maintenance equipment and areduced amount of time consuming hand maintenance. While power devicessuch as power mowers effectively reduce the amount of time required tomaintain open expanses of lawn, in lawn portions closely adjacentvertical wall-like surfaces and other obstructions such as houses,garden borders and grave marking devices in cemeteries, the power mowerscannot travel sufficiently close to the wall-like surfaces to entirelyeliminate the need for hand trimming by either manual or power trimmers.Mowers traveling too close to the wall or grave marking device increasethe risk of damaging contact between them. As the vegetation in theabsence of regular trimming tends to grow out of control and becomeunsightly, hand trimming, as by manual or power trimmers, has been anecessity if an aesthetically pleasing appearance is to be maintained.

It has been known to employ various types of physical barriers toextension of vegetation growth-into undesired areas. For example, onlawns it has been known ,to place barriers such as edging strips, woodchips,

stones or other obstructions to grass extension. In connection with thegrowth of grass around grave marking structures such as tombstones,- ithas been suggested to provide a structural border which is placed aroundthe tombstone base in order to prevent vegetation growth thereunder. SeeUS. Pat. No- 3,477,181.

With respect to such barrier structures it is important that they be sodesigned as to effectively inhibit vegetation while providing a durableand economical means of accomplishing vegetation control. The structuremust, be capable of withstanding variations in climate withoutdeterioration in structure or appearance. Also, it must have sufficientstructural integrity to resist oc-' casional accidental orintensionalloads placed on it by either human beings stepping on the same orequipment such as power mowers rolling over the same. In addition, theprotective members must be capable of being easily installed by means ofrelatively unskilled or semi-skilled labor. Finally, for certaininstallations such as cemetery use these required features must be socombined as to satisfy the rigid requirements with regard to bothperformance and appearance established by the various cemeteries.

My US. Pat. No. 3,619,944 discloses a vegetation inhibiting guard inwhich a separate seal element is secured within a channel of the guardelement in order to provide for the desired structural and sealingcharacteristics in the resulting vegetation inhibiting member.

Many of the prior art devices have been defective with resepct to one ormore of the above enumerated properties. As a result, there remains avery substantial need for a vegetation inhibiting member adapted for usewith a broad range of exterior wall-like surfaces where the abovecharacteristics are necessary or desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The vegetation inhibiting member of thisinvention provides the above described desirable features and solves theabove described problems in an effective manner.

The vegetation inhibiting member is adapted for resiliently maintainedsealed substantially coextensive engagement with one or more exteriorwall-like surfaces in order to resist vegetation growth therebetween andunder the vegetation inhibiting member. It may be provided in the formof a closed member composed of a number of guard elements and/or comerelements which provide a substantially coextensive, complementaryconfiguration with respect to the wall surfaces to be engaged.

The guard element of the present invention has an outwardly disposedbody portion and an inwardly disposed seal portion. The body portion hasa'downwardly depending outer support leg and a downwardly dependinginner support leg. The seal portion is formed integrally with the bodyportion and projects inwardly in order to assume resiliently maintainedsealing contact with the wall-like surface. The seal member maypreferably be cantilevered inwardly so as to be flexed either upwardlyor downwardly or project directly into the wall-like surface when insealing engagement. Alternatively, in another preferred form, thesealing member may assume a tubular configuration. In order to enhancesealing characteristics, the sealing member, which may be generallyweb-like in crosssectional configuration, may be provided with one ormore fins for enhancing resiliently maintained sealing interen'gagementwith a wall-like surface.

A uniform exterior frame appearance is provided by abutting jointsestablished between the frame defining elements (guard elements and/orcorner elements) by means of a splice which is hidden from view when insecured position. The splice elements are adapted to be slidinglyreceived within confronting ends of adjacent aligned frame definingelements and positioned in underlying relationship with respect toportions thereof. Fastening means secure the splice elements to theabutted frame elements. The splice element may have an upper surfacewhich is of generally complementary configuration with respect to theoverlying surface of the body portion of the frame defining elements.

A substantially rigid frame of fixed dimension having effective groundengagement and resilient substantially continuous sealing engagementwith respect to the wall-like surface or surfaces is provided.

. surrounding a tombstone.

It is an object of this invention to provide a vegetation inhibitingstructure which effectively and economically serves to retard the growthof grass, weeds and other undesired vegetation adjacent to exteriorwalllike structures. w

It is another object of this invention to provide a closed frame-likestructure composed of effectively joined adjacent vegetation inhibitingelements which provides a uniform aesthetically pleasing exteriorappearance and has hidden joint forming elements.

It is another object of this invention to provide such a vegetationinhibiting structure wherein sealing means of a resilient nature may beformed as a unit with the body portion of the closed frame in order toprovide for effective positively maintained sealing against tombstonesand other similar exterior multi-sided structures.

It is another object of this invention to provide a vegetationinhibiting element which is adapted to effectively prevent vegetationgrowth thereunder and also to provide an integrally formed continuoussealing member'to prevent vegetation growth between the vegetationinhibiting element and the wall-like surface with which the sealingmember is engaged.

It is'yet another object of this invention to provide such a vegetationinhibiting structure which may beeconomically produced and readilyinstalled by unskilled or semi-skilled labor.

These and other objects of the invention will be mor fully understoodfrom the following description of the invention, on reference to theillustrations appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of avegetation inhibiting member in accordance with this inventionprotectively FIG. 2 is a partial sectional elevation illustrating adetail of the portion of the frame taken through 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of a guard or corner elementof this invention.

FIG. 4-illustrates a cross sectional view of a splicing element of thisinvention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top plan view of a form of corner element of thisinvention.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional illustration of the corner element shown inFIG. 5 taken through 6-.6.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating a corner joint and guardelement butt joint.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional illustration of a portion of the guardelement butt joint of FIG. 7 taken through 88.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross sectional illustration of a modified formof guard element having a tubular form of sealing portion.

FIG. 9a is a fragmentary cross sectional illustration of the sealingportion of FIG. 9 in contact with a wall-like surface.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional illustration of a modified form of guardelement of this'invention.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross sectional illustration showing a modifiedform of guard element of this invention.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary cross sectional illustration showing themodified guard element of FIG. 11 in resiliently maintained sealingcontact with wall-like surface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more specificallyto the drawings with particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, there isshown a tombstone 2 having a tombstone base 4 and a protective frame 6sealingly positioned therearound. The protective frame 6 is composed. ofa number of substantially straight guard elements 8 which are connectedto a number of corner elements 10 in a fashion to be described ingreater detail below. The guard elements 8 are preferably longitudinallysubstantially continuous and of substantially unifomi cross sectionthroughout their length.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it is seen that the guard element 8 is providedwith a body portion 14 and a seal portion 16. In the form illustrated,the seal portion 16 has been integrally formed with respect to the bodyportion 14. The terms unitary," integrally formed" and words of similarimport as used herein in respect of the structural relationship betweenthe body portion 14 and the seal portion 16 shall be employed to includestructures formed as a unit as by extrusion, molding and dual extrusion(sometimes referred to as coextrusion), as well as separate fabricationwith intimate bonding being effected as by self-bonding, adhesivebonding, heat welding and other means which establish a structure whichphysically and functionally is a single unit, as distinguished from amember having merely mechanically interengaged parts.

It is noted that the body portion 14 has an outer downwardly'dependingsupport leg 18 terminating in an inwardly directed flange 20 which is insurface to surface contact with the underlying earth 22. The termsearth, ground and words of similar import as used herein shall beemployed to refer to the underlying material over which the guardelement or the frame lies and protectively shelters be it soil, somesubstitute material such as mulch, peat moss or other vegetationsustaining substance, or any other supporting material which ispositioned under the element or frame. The body portion 14 also has aninner downwardly depending supporting leg 26 terminating in a generallyT- shaped flange 28 which is also preferably in surface to surfacecontact with the earth 22. While support legs 18, 26 could be providedwith a lower terminus in the form of a downwardly directed edge, it ispreferred to provide transverse flanges such as flanges 20, 28 as theseserve to enhance the effectiveness of the ground engagement and alsocontribute added longitudinal stiffness to the body portion 14. I v

In the form shown in FIG. 2, the seal portion 16 has been resilientlydownwardly deformed into resiliently maintained contact with verticalwall .30 of tombstone base 4. This sealing relationship is preferablysubstantially continuous longitudinally about the entire periphery oftombstone base 4; As used herein, the reference to grave markingstructure shall include tombstone bases, tombstones and other forms ofmonuments and markers employed in connection with graves, as well asportions thereof, be they of smooth or rough or rock surface finish.

Referring once again to FIG. 2, it is noted that body portion 14 has agenerally web-like configuration be.- tween legs 18, 26. In the formillustrated, this web-like portion of the body portion 14 has agenerally horizontally disposed outer portion and upwardly and inwardlydirected inner portion. A configuration with an outward slope ispreferred as it facilitates discharge of impinging water harmlesslyexteriorly of the frame. If desired, however, a substantially horizontalprofile or one which slopes inwardly might be provided. The body portion14, in the form shown, is directed outwardly and slightly downwardly infinite stages by means of a number of steps which will be discussedbelow. The body portion 14 defines a hollow region thereunder and servesas a light barrier and a physical obstruction to the growth ofvegetation between support leg 18 and support leg 26. The seal portion16, which is in resiliently maintained sealing relationship with respectto tombstone base 4, serves to provide a light barrier and a physicalobstruction to vegetation growth between inner leg 26 and wall surface30 of tombstone base 4. In this fashion, the guard element 8 of thisinvention serves to provide effective light barriers and physicalbarriers which resist undesired growth of vegetation.

Referring now more specifically to FIG. 3, a form of guard element 8 ofthis invention will be considered in greater detail. It is noted thatthe outer leg 18 is substantially shorter than the inner leg 26. Thisreduction in height of the body portion 14 as it extends outwardlyserves to facilitate drainage of moisture. As has'been mentioned above,in this preferred form of the invention, the inner section of the bodyportion 14 slopes upwardly and inwardly and the outer portion isgenerally horizontal. The term horizontal as used herein in this contextwith respect to guard element 8 shall include structures having a slightreduction in elevation as it extends toward the outer extremity, whetherthe reductions are effected in finite stages as by steps 32 or by agradual slope. In the form employing steps 32, an added advantage isobtained as the steps 32 function as longitudinal stifieners of the bodyportion 14.

As is further shown in FIG. 3, the sealing portion 16 has beenintegrally formed with the body portion 14 with the line of divisionbeing designated by the number 34 for convenience of reference. Thesealing portion 16 has a transverse width substantially less than thatof body portion 14. It is noted that the seal portion 16 is connected tothe body portion 14 at the innermost part of portion 14 (or adjacent theinnermost portion thereof, if desired) and is cantilevered inwardlytherefrom. Also, it is noted that the seal portion 16 extends inwardlyand slightly upwardly with its thickness being reduced as it approachesfree end 36 of seal portion 16. If desired, the free end 36 may bepositioned against the wall-like surface to create the primary seal, butit will generally be preferable to bend the seal portion 16 upwardly ordownwardly in order to create a larger region of sealing.

Referring now to F IGS. 3 and 4, a form of joining system of thisinvention will be considered. It is noted that the body portion 14 isprovided with an inwardly open channel 40 which is disposed inunderlying relationship with respect to the web-like body portion. Thechannel 40 is disposed closely adjacent the outermost portionof the bodyportion 14 and is defined by support leg 18, flange and the overlyingsection of body portion 14. An outwardly open channel 42 is defined byrib 44, which emerges from inner leg 26, in cooperation with the upperportion of leg 26 and the overlying section of body portion 14.

As is shown in FIG. 4, a splice element has a generally complementaryconfiguration with respect to the web-like portion of body portion 14.It has an upwardly and inwardly directed sector 50 and a series of steps52 which reduce the splice elevation as the splice member extends towardoutennost marginal edge 54. In effecting joinder of two adjacent guardelements 8 in a manner which will be more fully described below, thesplice member is slidingly inserted into the aligned guard element 8 insuch fashion that marginal edge 54 is disposed within channel 40 and theopposite marginal edge 56 is positioned within channel 42 of each guardelement 8. The steps 52 will then be in complementary underlyingrelationship with respect to steps 32 and sloping wall 50 will be inunderlying complementary relationship with respect to the sloping wallof body portion 14. While one may rely upon frictional retention of thesplice member to retain the joint, it is preferable to providesupplemental joint retaining means, such as adhesives or fasteners.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a form of corner element of thisinvention will now be considered. In the form shown, the corner elementhas a plurality of steps 32 similar to those shown in guard element 8and, in

general, has substantially the same cross sectional configuration asguard element 8, except for the slightly different dimensionsjat theoutermost portion of the corner intersection. If desired, this rightangular exterior intersection could be curved to provide a frame withrounded exterior comers. The corner element illustrated has been formedby molding it as a unitary article. If desired, one might establishmitered comers by joining two angularly cut sections.

In the form shown, the comer element is provided with a pair ofoutwardly projecting integrally formed splice elements 60, 62 which havebeen either molded into the corner element or bonded thereto ascontrasted with the form of separate splice elements shown in FIG. 4. Asis shown more clearly in FIG. 6, the splice member 62 is bonded inintimate surface to surface underlying relationship with respect to theupper surface 76 of the corner member and is of generally complementaryrelationship with respect thereto. These splice elements 60, 62originate at a position underlying the web-like portion of the cornerelement and emerge into the exposed sections illustrated beyond edges64, 66 shown in FIG. 5. These splice members 60, 62 are preferablyprovided with preformed fastener receiving openings 70 to facilitateframe assembly. In effecting joinder of a corner element of the typeshown in FIG. 5 to a guard element 8, the projecting portion of splicemember 60 or 62 is inserted into underlying relationship with respect tothe web-like section of body portion 14 with, in the case of splice 60,outer edge 72 being received within channel 40 and inner edge 74 beingreceived within channel 42. One may then insert suitable fastening meansthrough body portion 14 and openings 70 to secure the joint. Among thesuitable fastener means contemplated by this invention are pop rivets,bolts or screws or any other suitablestructurally adequate durablefasteners. Also, adhesives could be employed in lieu of or in additionto fasteners.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view illustrating both corner andstraight section joints employing splice members of the presentinvention. As is shown toward the right hand portion of FIG. 7, a guardelement 8a has been secured to a guard element 8b by means of comerelement 10. It is noted that the splice member 62 has been receivedwithin the channels 40, 42 (not shown in this view) of guard member 8band fasteners 78 permanently secure the joint therebetween. It isfurther noted that the joint established is a butt joint 80 whicheffectively conceals the underlying splice member 62 from view.Similarly, splice member 60 creates butt joint 82 while remainingconcealed from view. It is noted that in the interior corner region, theseal member 16b of guard member 8b overlaps the seal member 160 of guardmember 8a to contribute to longitudinal seal continuity. While it willgenerally be advantageous to provide an integrally formed splice memberwithin the corner element, if desired, the corner element may beprovided without such a splice and a separate splice member of thegeneral type shown in FIG. 4 may be employed in joining guard elements 8and corner elements 10. Also, if desired, an integral splice membercould be provided in a guard element 8 to be joined to a corner elementor another guard element 8.

To provide a further detailed description of the use of a separatesplice member in joining of guard element 8b to guard element 80,reference is made to the left hand portion of FIG. 7. In the form'shown,a splice member 86 has approximately one-half secured in generallyunderlying relationship with respect to guard member 8c and one-halfsecured in general underlying relationship with respect toguard element8b with its inner zmdp te marginal edges secured withinchannfili.

40, 42 of each guard element 8b, 8c. The splice member 86 serves toprovide a concealed'means of establishing butt joint 88' whileestablishing firm durable mechanical connection therebetween. Fasteners78 have been used to secure the butt joint 88. As is shown in FIG. 8,the splice member'86-remains firmly secured in underlying relationshipwith respect to the body portion 90 of guard element 81) in a positiongenerally spaced above the underlying earth 92.

As is shown in FIG. 8, the seal portion 16 in the solid line version isshown in its natural position and in the dotted version 16 is shown in adownwardly deflected resiliently sealinglyengaged position with respectto wall surface 94. It is noted that the free end 96' is in contact withthe earth 92. This contact tends to further resist any tendency for theseal maintained against wall surface 94 to become unseated. Asis shownin FIG. 8, the upper surface of splice 86 has a complementaryconfiguration with respect to the lower surface of body portion 90 asthis preferred relationship permits maximum physical interconnectiontherebetween. This is not essential, however. Also, the upper and lowersurfaces of the guard element body portion 90 need not be of identicalprofile. For example, the upper surface could he stepped and the lowersurface smooth. Similarly, the splice member could have different shapesprovided in the upper and lower surfaces.

Referring-nowtoFlGS. 9 and 9a, a description will be provided of anotherpreferred embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment, the bodyportion 100 has been shown only in part as it may be basically of thesame configuration as other embodiments of the invention. In general, aninner depending supporting leg 102 is provided with a terminal flange104. Seal portion 106 has anupper extremity secured to body portion .100at junction 108 and a lower portion secured to leg 102 at juncture 110.This serves to provide a tubular form of sealing member defining ahollow interior 112. This structure may be provided by direct extrusion,extrusion of one connection 108, 110 and subsequent joinder to createthe other, dual extrusion of the two joints 108, 1 10 or adhesivejoinder or bonding of one or both of the connections, for example. As istrue with the other embodiments of this invention, this structure ispreferably longitudinally substantially continuous and of generallyuniform cross section throughout its length.

As is shown in FIG. 9a, the seal portion 106 is in resilientlymaintained sealing engagement with wall surface 116 and has its lowersurface 118 in contact with the underlying earth 120. It is noted thatthe hollow interior 112 has changed configuration slightly as a resultof compression of the tubular seal 106.

While for purposes of convenience of illustration, the seal portion ofthe present invention has generally been illustrated as being in contactwith smooth wall surfaces, it will be appreciated that the invention isequally suited and may be particularly advantageously employed with rockface or irregularly faced wall surfaces. The resiliently maintainedsealing action willtend to contribute to seal continuity by urging thesealing member into recesses within the wall surfaces and willcompensate for outwardly projecting surfaces. If desired, additionalmeans may be provided to further enhance the sealing characteristics ofthis invention whether it is being employed with smooth or roughsurface'd walls. As is shown in FIG. 10, a guard element has a bodyportion 132 having a smooth-generally uniform outwardly and downwardlysloping upper wall and depending legs 134, 136 each having a generally L-shaped flange. The sealing portion 140 is provided with three sealingfins 142, 144, 146, which in the form shown are generally coextensivewith seal portion 140,

project upwardly from the upper surface of the seal 140 and are directedangularly outwardly and. upwardly. The fins 142, 144, 146 are preferablylongitudinally continuous. As is shown in the dotted form of seal 140'in addition to the resiliently maintained sealing action of sealingportion 140, fins 142, 144, 146 serve to engage the wall surface 150 andprovide for greater sealing action. The sealing fins 142, 144, 146 arepreferably of reduced average thickness with respect to the sealingportion 140 and as a result provide increased resiliency to fill voidsin the wall surfaces. It will be appreciated, that in most instances, asingle sealing fin 142 will provide more than adequate supplementarysealing means, but two, three or more such fins may be employed, ifdesired. Also, the sealing portion 140 may be positioned to be insurface to surface contact with the wall surface 150 in addition to thefin contact.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, a modifiedform of seal which isadapted to be sealed by resiliently deforming the same upwardly isshown. In this form, fins 162, 164, 166 project from the lower surfaceof the seal 160 and are directed generally downwardly and outwardly. InFIG. 12 the seal is shown as being resiliently upwardly deformed and thesealing element 160 and 162, 164, 166 are in sealing engagement withwall surface 168. As was true in connection with fins 142, 144, 146, asingle fin 162, 164, 166 will generally provide adequate supplementalsealing means, but additional fins may be employed, if desired; Itshould further be noted that while for purposes of illustration thepreferred orientation of the fins has been shown and gularly inwardlymay also be employed, if desired. For purposes of simplicity ofmanufacture and adaptability of the product for various uses, a sealingelement 160 may be provided with both upper and lower fins.

The guard elements and corner elements (as well as the splice elements)may be made from a wide range of materials. Among the preferredmaterials are plastics such as vinyls, polyesters and polyolefins orrubber or combinations thereof. Among the specific preferred materialsare polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene and polypropylene. A generallyadvantageous practice of this invention results in the manufacture of aguard element or corner element which has a body portion composed of asubstantially rigid plastic material and a sealing element composed of aresilient plastic material. This may readily be accomplished by dualextrusion processes. In fact, one might, for example, employ a polyvinylchloride for both the body portion and seal portion, but provide asignificant quantity of plasticizer in the material out of which theseal will be made in order to provide the desired resilient sealingcharacteristics.

While it generally will not be necessary to provide means for anchoringthe protective structures of the present invention to the ground, hiddenanchoring means such as downwardly projecting stakes ornails dependingfrom a splice section as is suggested in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,619,944 orother suitable means may be provided, if desired.

It will therefore be appreciated that the vegetation inhibiting memberofthis invention provides an effectively sealed structural retardant toundesired vegetation growth against exterior wall-like surfaces and morespecifically generally vertical wall-like surfaces. Where a multi-sidedobject is to be'completely protected the guard elements and cornerelements of this invention may be suitably joined to provide a closedframe-like vegetation inhibiting structure. This may readily beaccomplished by a uniquely designed splice element which is adapted tobe slidingly received within adjacent frame elements to provide aconcealed butt type joint. The exterior appearance of the frame memberprovides a uniform aesthetically pleasing appearance. The frame isprovided with a resilient sealing strip which is substantiallycoextensive therewith and adapted to effectively resiliently sealsubstantially coextensively against the wall-like surfaces.

It will further be appreciated that the vegetation inhibiting member ofthis invention may be economically manufactured and readily installed bymeans of unskilled or semi-skilled labor. The vegetation inhibitingmember may be economically manufactured from plasticmaterials byconventional means such as extrusion, molding or dual extrusion.

While for purposes of specific illustration reference has been madethroughout the discussion to a tombstone-like grave marking structure,it will be appreciated that the invention may be employed with a numberof types of structures having exterior wall-like surfaces adjacent tothe earth such as against buildings, walkways, patios and in gardens,for example.

While for purposes of illustration reference has been made herein togenerally straight guard elements usableeither alone or joined toestablish a generally rectangular frame, it will be appreciated that theinvention is equally applicable to curved or longitudinally irregularlyconfigurated members usable either alone or joined to create other formsof closed frames including circular or oval shaped frames.

Whereas particular embodiments of the invention have been describedabove for purposes of illustration,

5 it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerousvariations of the details may be made without departing from theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A vegetation inhibiting member for protective placement adjacentexterior wall-like surfaces comprising at least one unitary guardelement having an outwardly disposed body portion and an inwardlydisposed seal portion,

said body portion having downwardly depending outer and inner supportlegs, and

said seal portion being formed integrally with said I body portion andprojecting inwardly for assuming resiliently maintained sealing contactwith said wall-like surface, whereby said guard element is adapted todefine a vegetation free region between said wall-like surface and saidouter support leg. 2. The vegetation inhibiting member of claim 1including said seal portion being secured to said body portion ator'generally adjacent the innermost portion of said body portion by acontinuous intimate bond established by dual extrusion, and said sealportion being longitudinally substantially continuous and substantiallycoextensive with said body portion. 3. The vegetation inhibiting memberof claim 1 including said seal portion being composed of a resilientplastic material, and said body portion being composed of asubstantially rigid plastic material. 4. The vegetation inhibitingmember of claim 1 including said seal portion having a generallyweb-like cross sectional configuration and extending generally inwardlyto a free end thereof. 5. The vegetation inhibiting member of claim 4including said body portion extending generally upwardly as it extendsinwardly to establish a greater height at its inner extremity than atits outer extremity, and

said seal portion having a greater average thickness adjacent said bodyportion than adjacent saidfree end. 6. The vegetation inhibiting memberof claim 4 insaid body portion having a generally horizontal outerportion and a generally upwardly and inwardly directed inner portion. 9.The vegetation inhibiting member of claim 8 including said inner andouter support legs each terminating in stabilizing flanges which aresubstantially horizontally disposed. 10. The vegetation inhibitingmember of claim 1 including said seal portion having a generallyweb-like cross sectional configuration, and said seal portion extendinggenerally inwardly, then generally downwardly and then generallyoutwardly to provide a generally tubular seal structure. 11. Thevegetation inhibiting member of claim 10 including said web-like sealportion having an upper extremity and a lower portion each separatelyconnected to said body portion by an intimate permanent jointtherebetween established by dual extrusion. 12. The vegetationinhibiting member of claim 1 including said vegetation inhibiting memberbeing .a closed frame for sealed surrounding engagement with saidwall-like surface. I 13. The vegetation inhibiting member of claim 12including 7 said vegetation inhibiting member being a four sided framedefining a generally rectangular opening for sealed surroundingengagement with the wall surfaces of a four sided structure,

said frame having elongated guard elements and corner elements eachhaving a substantially identical cross sectional configuration, and

concealed splice means joining said guard elements to said cornerelements.

14. The vegetation inhibiting member of claim 13 including ement and asecond portion disposed in underlying relationship with respect to saidguard element body portion with an outer part of said splice memberreceived within said inwardly open splice receiving channel and an innerportion of said splice member received within said outwardly open splicereceiving channel, whereby are joined in a butt joint with said web-likesplice member concealed from exterior view. l5..The vegetationinhibiting member of claim 14including said comer element being aunitary molded structure having one said splice member molded to eachjoining edge thereof and projecting outwardly therefrom. 16. Thevegetation inhibiting member of claim 14 including said downwardlydepending outer support leg being shorter than said downwardly dependinginner support leg, said outer support leg having an inwardly directedflange which cooperates with another portion of said outer leg and theoverlying portion at" said body portion to define said inwardly opensplice receiving channel, and p 7 said inner support leg havingan'outwardly, directed flange which cooperates with another portion ofsaid inner leg and the overlying section of said body portion to definesaid outwardly open splice receiving channel, which is disposed at aposition spaced upwardly from the lower extremity of said inner supportleg. 17. The vegetation inhibiting member of claim 14 including saidframe being adapted for protectiveengagement with a generallyrectangular grave marking structure, at least two web-like splicemembers each joining two said guard elements to each other in a'buttjoint,

and v fastener means securing said splice members to overlying portionsof said guard members, whereby relative separation of the joined membersis resisted. 18. The vegetation inhibiting member of claim 17 includingsaid web-like splice member having a cross sectional configurationgenerally the same as that of the overlying body portion ofsaid guardelement 0 corner element.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 803760 Dated April 16 1974 Inventor(s) Joseph J. Matvey It is certifiedthat error appears in-the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 27 Before ",as" change to Column 12, line 7 After"whereby" insert -said corner element and said guard element-- Signedand sealed this 13th day of August 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON, JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents F ORM PO-1050 (10-69) USCOMM'DC 60376-P69 Q U.S GOVERNMENTPRINTING OFFICE I989 0-3664,

1. A vegetation inhibiting member for protective placement adjacentexterior wall-like surfaces comprising at least one unitary guardelement having an outwardly disposed body portion and an inwardlydisposed seal portion, said body portion having downwardly dependingouter and inner support legs, and said seal portion being formedintegrally with said body portion and projecting inwardly for assumingresiliently maintained sealing contact with said wall-like surface,whereby said guard element is adapted to define a vegetation free regionbetween said wall-like surface and said outer support leg.
 2. Thevegetation inhibiting member of claim 1 including said seal portionbeing secured to said body portion at or generally adjacent theinnermost portion of said body portion by a continuous intimate bondestablished by dual extrusion, and said seal portion beinglongitudinally substantially continuous and substantially coextensivewith said body portion.
 3. The vegetation inhibiting member of claim 1including said seal portion being composed of a resilient plasticmaterial, and said body portion being composed of a substantially rigidplastic material.
 4. The vegetation inhibiting member of claim 1including said seal portion having a generally web-like cross sectionalconfiguration and extending generally inwardly to a free end thereof. 5.The vegetation inhibiting member of claim 4 including said body portionextending generally upwardly as it extends inwardly to establish agreater height at its inner extremity than at its outer extremity, andsaid seal portion having a greater average thickness adjacent said bodyportion than adjacent said free end.
 6. The vegetation inhibiting memberof claim 4 including at least one substantially continuous sealretaining fin formed within said seal portion emerging from at least oneof the seal portion upper surface and the seal portion lower surface. 7.The vegetation inhibiting member of claim 6 including at least one saidseal retaining fin emerging from said seal portion upper surface andprojecting generally upwardly and outwardly therefrom when said sealportion is in undeformed state.
 8. The vegetation inhibiting member ofclaim 1 including said body portion having a generally horizontal outerportion and a generally upwardly and inwardly directed inner portion. 9.The vegetation inhibiting member of claim 8 including said inner andouter support legs each terminating in stabilizing flanges which aresubstantially horizontally disposed.
 10. The vegetation inhibitingmember of claim 1 including said seal portion having a generallyweb-like cross sectional configuration, and said seal portion extendinggenerally inwardly, then generally downwardly and then generallyoutwardly to provide a generally tubular seal structure.
 11. Thevegetation inhibiting member of claim 10 including said web-like sealportion having an upper extremity and a lower portion each separatelyconnected to said body portion by an intimate permanent jointtherebetween established by dual extrusion.
 12. The vegetationinhibiting member of claim 1 including said vegetation inhibiting memberbeing a closed frame for sealed surrounding engagement with saidwall-like surface.
 13. The vegetation inhibiting memBer of claim 12including said vegetation inhibiting member being a four sided framedefining a generally rectangular opening for sealed surroundingengagement with the wall surfaces of a four sided structure, said framehaving elongated guard elements and corner elements each having asubstantially identical cross sectional configuration, and concealedsplice means joining said guard elements to said corner elements. 14.The vegetation inhibiting member of claim 13 including said guardelements having an inwardly open splice receiving channel disposedadjacent the outer extremity thereof, said guard elements having anoutwardly open splice receiving channel disposed at a position spacedinwardly from said inwardly open splice receiving channel, and splicemeans including a web-like splice member for each joint between a saidcorner element and a said guard element having a first portion disposedin underlying relationship with respect to said corner element and asecond portion disposed in underlying relationship with respect to saidguard element body portion with an outer part of said splice memberreceived within said inwardly open splice receiving channel and an innerportion of said splice member received within said outwardly open splicereceiving channel, whereby are joined in a butt joint with said web-likesplice member concealed from exterior view.
 15. The vegetationinhibiting member of claim 14 including said corner element being aunitary molded structure having one said splice member molded to eachjoining edge thereof and projecting outwardly therefrom.
 16. Thevegetation inhibiting member of claim 14 including said downwardlydepending outer support leg being shorter than said downwardly dependinginner support leg, said outer support leg having an inwardly directedflange which cooperates with another portion of said outer leg and theoverlying portion of said body portion to define said inwardly opensplice receiving channel, and said inner support leg having an outwardlydirected flange which cooperates with another portion of said inner legand the overlying section of said body portion to define said outwardlyopen splice receiving channel, which is disposed at a position spacedupwardly from the lower extremity of said inner support leg.
 17. Thevegetation inhibiting member of claim 14 including said frame beingadapted for protective engagement with a generally rectangular gravemarking structure, at least two web-like splice members each joining twosaid guard elements to each other in a butt joint, and fastener meanssecuring said splice members to overlying portions of said guardmembers, whereby relative separation of the joined members is resisted.18. The vegetation inhibiting member of claim 17 including said web-likesplice member having a cross sectional configuration generally the sameas that of the overlying body portion of said guard element or cornerelement.